Every pilot must get beyond the generalizations and simple rules of thumb they were taught in their primary training. When the weather is even remotely challenging, the need to work hard to put together an objective analysis of the weather using a method that works every time is...

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A good estimation of the cloud tops is like the finest gold, especially for those pilots flying under instrument flight rules (IFR) during the cold season when structural icing is a real threat. Many pilots struggle to find a reasonable estimate of the vertical extent of the clouds...

Whether flying during the winter or the summer months, understanding the factors associated with structural icing is critical especially for pilots flying under instrument flight rules (IFR). Icing is a complex topic and demands a...

Whether you are a novice pilot or seasoned professional, Ice Is NOT Nice Part 2 takes icing analysis to the next level. Part 1 provided an in-depth discussion surrounding the factors of structural icing to promote situational awareness. Now it's time to apply this training to a real flight environment using a scenario-based approach. Over a dozen cases were surveyed for Ice Is NOT Nice Part 2. Three scenarios were chosen that represented very typical icing environments in three different parts of the U.S. The three modules are focused on post-cold frontal icing, the most common form of icing that a pilot will typically face during the icing season...

Thermodynamic charts such as the Skew-T log (p) diagram are one of the best kept secrets in aviation. It represents one of the most versatile power tools in the pilot's preflight planning toolbox. Specifically, the Skew-T log (p) diagram allows the pilot to "drill down" over a particular location to...

This is a video screen capture and audio recording of the Skew-T Weather Essentials live workshop that was held in Charlotte, North Carolina. In this workshop you will not only learn how to use the Skew-T log (p) diagram to drill down and find the location of nasty adverse weather, but will also...

Learning to read a terminal aerodrome forecast (TAF) requires more than just deciphering an unfamiliar code. Pilots need to have an appreciation for its inherent limitations that are largely imposed by NWS directives and local forecast rules. Meteorologists consider terminal forecasts to be...

From the beginning, all pilots learn to cope with those annoying bumps called turbulence. But can turbulence be deadly? Compared to scheduled air carrier operations, a general aviation pilot is...

This is a live recording of the Weather Essentials for Pilots live workshop that was held in Fort Worth, Texas. Weather Essentials for Pilots is a unique two-day aviation weather workshop developed and taught by CFI and former NWS research meteorologist, Scott C. Dennstaedt. This workshop is designed to remove much of the guesswork out of your...